Alleged Gunman in Homeland Attack Charged

MURRIETA – A man accused of nearly killing a Homeland resident in a drive-by shooting was charged today with attempted murder.

Eric Jonathan Meza, 18, of Perris, was arrested Friday after the attack in the 26000 block of Ritter Avenue.

Along with the attempted murder count, Meza is facing sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations. He is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

According to Riverside County sheriff’s officials, the shooting happened outside a residence around 10 p.m. Friday. Deputies were called to the location and found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, whose identity was not released, was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, but he survived and is recovering, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Ryan Hoxmeier.

He said witnesses provided a description of the car in which the assailant fled, and deputies spotted it less than 20 minutes later in the 2100 block of Wilson Avenue in Perris.

Meza, identified as the alleged gunman, was arrested without incident, Hoxmeier said, adding that a 17-year-old boy with the defendant was also arrested and booked into Southwest Juvenile Hall.

Meza is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Southwest Detention Center.